Reflections From Sunday Evening

Finished our stay home vacation. Royals won in a game with plenty of action.
Earlier this month I was able to teach a theology class to our Course of Study students. That is joyful!
I witnessed a great Vacation Bible School. (I even got a shirt) That was joyful.
I got to do some work around the house. ( Not so fun)
I did some reading. A couple of books about WW II and President Truman. Those were deeply challenging and troubling times in America but it is inspiring to be reminded how the USA prevailed.
Another joy was being in worship at PWC through the month. It is greatly encouraging to watch younger clergy step up and lead/serve.
The summer months give me renewed hope as we face challenging times in nation and church. But guess what, we have been here before.
We have faith.
We have gifts.
We have leaders.
We have servants.
We have truth.
We have hope.
Above all, we have Jesus.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

50 years ago Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”  Buzz Aldren soon followed and was the first person to have communion on the moon.   NASA had spent untold hours of planning and preparing for an event that would change the world.
50 years ago some people planned a music festival that exceeded expectations. We still think of Woodstock as a culturally defining experience.
This summer many people have been reflecting on 1969. That Apollo 11 thing was a big deal!
I wonder what people in 2069 will be reflecting on? People are making plans today that will result in experiences, events, and discoveries that will change the world.
There are other ways to put these things in perspective. Who is being prayed for today that will make the joyful discovery of Christ and have their life changed?
How will the Church of Jesus Christ experience change that will be celebrated 50 years from now?
What changes in your life will God bring about today that will affect someone 50 years from now?
Ready? Today recognize where The Lord is working in you.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

It’s good to take a breath. Getting ready to teach a class in course of study next week. This week a little down time to re-charge. Also a chance to see how other churches are doing things. We know the popular narrative is that people simply do not attend church these days. Experience bears this out.
Today Cindy and I met our kids and went to Life Church in Overland Park.
On the way I observed several people out walking or biking. (I actually saw several in my own neighborhood when I went out early.). There was a ball field across the street from the church that was crowded with people. I saw a few folks mowing their lawn. Sunday morning.
But I also experienced a large church filled with people for multiple services.
This happens all over the world. If you would have awakened in Cuba this morning and headed for church, you better be early or there would not be a seat. That story would be replicated in many African nations. All over South and Central America people throng to hear the Word of God proclaimed. In a few years China will have more Christians than any nation on earth. And their government is not exactly supportive.
American church attendance may be at a low ebb but following Jesus is at an all time high.
So...
Be encouraged.
Be prayerful.
Be faithful.
Be in the middle of what God is doing.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

I have aspired to be an encourager of others in the spiritual life. Sometimes I have been able to see good fruit of attempts at encouragement. Far too often I have left people no better than where I met them.  I hope to do better.
Well, today I witnessed people serving Jesus and the church that I have encouraged.
Britton Fields is stepping into his call to preach with humility, confidence, and competence. It was a joy to be part of the PWUMC congregation and be blessed through Britton’s message.
I was further blessed at our Patriotic Service today. Some weeks ago I “encouraged” Mike Casey to be our speaker today. Frankly, it did not demand much arm twisting. I sensed the Holy Spirit leading and Mike embraced the opportunity.
Mike has been on our church staff for nearly 14 years. He makes sure our facility is in great shape. I cannot begin to list all Mike contributes to our ministry.
Mike is a veteran. He has served his nation. Today he shared his story as a person of faith.
Today I was greatly encouraged by some of those I hoped to encourage. Their encouragement of me far exceeds anything I have offered.
Let me encourage you to look for someone to encourage this week.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Do you remember learning something that is a basic reality?
When I was a little boy I was watching the Kansas City A’s play the Detroit Tigers. In those days few games were televised. It was much different from today. The A’s were the visiting team. It came to the top of the ninth inning. I was glued to the TV hoping for them to score enough to go ahead. But as usual, the A’s came up short. I realized they could not win the game but was confused when Detroit did not bat in the ninth. Don’t they play nine innings? Won’t they feel cheated if they don’t get their last at bat? Well, no. That is the rule of the game. If the home team leads after the visiting team bats in the ninth inning. Game over. I learned it. I remember it. It has not changed.
What is a basic truth about life (specifically the Christian life) you have learned?
How about...
God so loved the world.
Love God with all your heart.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Seek first the kingdom of God.
Give and it will be given unto you.
Show faith by deeds.
You could spend the next hours adding to the list.
These are all true. They were true before we learned them but once we discovered them we had something in our experience that will never leave us.
How are you doing practicing the true things you know?
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

A shout out to pastor Jacob Schneider and Keera. Jake made a great witness through preaching this weekend. He and Keera make their move to Ozark, Mo. this week where he will be their lead pastor. I will miss a Jake, as will many in our church, but those in his new setting will be blessed.
There was one particular remark Jake made this weekend that truly gets my attention. Among the many experiences enjoyed what stands out are the LIVES CHANGED.
This is why we do what we do. This is why people like Jake dedicate themselves to serving Christ and the Church. Changing lives.
When a person takes the step to follow Jesus, lives are changed.
When a person continues walking in Christian Discipleship, lives are changed.
When a person pursues a deepening, expanding, and growing relationship with Jesus, lives are changed.
Jake celebrates the lives changed over these 5 years. We can anticipate many more people experiencing new life through Jesus Christ in Jake’s ministry for years to come.
Why, even your life may be changed.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

It’s a good feeling to be picked. Tomorrow is the Major League Baseball draft. Many amateur baseball players are going to be picked by an organization and begin pursuing a dream.
The NFL (football) draft is much more popular but the end result is about the same. Some young people are picked and the dream continues.
This is how professional sports organizations fill out their rosters.
There is another way we are picked.  John 15:16 finds Jesus telling his disciples “ you did not choose me, but I chose you...”
You have been picked.
In this story no one has to wait nervously hoping they will get picked.
No one gets rejected.
No one gets forgotten.
Jesus picks all of us; you, me, all of us, to be his followers.
In sports some don’t like the team that picks them.
Some decide not to sign up at this time.
Some say no and go do something else.
But many say yes, and the dream moves forward.
You’ve been picked to know, love, and follow Jesus.
What will you do?
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve